Help Please! Road bike advice for a little novice

[Cath]

Hi there

 

New to this forum and excuse my ignorance! Need help from the gurus please:)

 

I have been mountain biking recreationally for a while and have now been roped into road cycling for a team doing tiathlons / iron man etc. and keen to do some other road events - eeeek!

 

So to start off with - I need a road bike! No clue where to start and what the jargon means.

 

Profile : Female 148cm (small) 50kgs.

 

Hope to have something that I can use every weekend and will last a while. Not sure what my budget is because the prices I have seen so far are all so varied! (From R5000 to R50 000!)

 

2nd issue - what is the transition like to road? If I'm okay mountain biking, am I in for a shock? Is it a whole new sport?

 

Advice please!

Thanks a ton

[Witkop]

You will need an xs frame or 48cm frame. Very hard to find. Try find 650cc wheeled bike (this may help getting the right sized frame. THere are some "kids" racers in South Africa.

campy trumps sram which trumps shimano. However, shimano is cheaper and thus more popular.

If you go for shimano tiagra is entry and 105 up is good.

Cranks 168mm.

 

Transition to triathlon/ duathlon is easy if you can run and run/swim. The transtion area can be difficult to master.

 

Road cycling is a diferent sport, from a different planet. Try before you buy into it, it can become very addictive and has a zombie cult like following (just watch the response to this statement).

 

Enjoy.

[RooiWillie]

I am not sure about the shimano is the worst statement. For a novice I would say either shimano or campy, as sram's double tap is something youll need to get used to.

 

Road is also way different to mtb, for instance gearing, riding position etc.

 

But I second the idea to check it out before buying. And do not ride roadie with your camelbak...

[Tankman]

You will need an xs frame or 48cm frame. Very hard to find. Try find 650cc wheeled bike (this may help getting the right sized frame. THere are some "kids" racers in South Africa.

campy trumps sram which trumps shimano. However, shimano is cheaper and thus more popular.

If you go for shimano tiagra is entry and 105 up is good.

Cranks 168mm.

 

Transition to triathlon/ duathlon is easy if you can run and run/swim. The transtion area can be difficult to master.

 

Road cycling is a diferent sport, from a different planet. Try before you buy into it, it can become very addictive and has a zombie cult like following (just watch the response to this statement).

 

Enjoy.

 

You at it again!! Stop talking so much ***!

 

You are advising on frame and crank sizes based on what? Length?

 

Groupsets are a personal choice! And Tiagra is not Shimano's entry level, Sora is.

But ja start with Tiagra at least.

 

 

Cath, your budget will ultimately determine what bike and components you get. If you have the means, invest a little more in the bike. But to give you an idea:

 

Alloy bike with Shimano Tiagra - around R9000

Alloy bike with Shimano 105 - around R13000

Carbon bike with 105/Tiagra - around R15 500

Carbon bike with 105 - around R17 000

Carbon bike with Ultegra - around R22 000

From here on, your imagination is the limit

 

If you have Triathlons/Iron Man in mind, consider a bike that will give you the biggest advantage and comfort over 180km.

A light weight carbon bike with areo design.

 

Feel free to PM me for a chat and I will help you find the right bike.

[Sarge]

Hi,

Long live the "ZOMBIE CULT".

Good luck with your choice of bike Cath and I hope that you enjoy it.

Regards

Sarge

[andretraut]

You at it again!! Stop talking so much ***!

 

You are advising on frame and crank sizes based on what? Length?

 

Groupsets are a personal choice! And Tiagra is not Shimano's entry level, Sora is.

But ja start with Tiagra at least.

 

 

Cath, your budget will ultimately determine what bike and components you get. If you have the means, invest a little more in the bike. But to give you an idea:

 

Alloy bike with Shimano Tiagra - around R9000

Alloy bike with Shimano 105 - around R13000

Carbon bike with 105/Tiagra - around R15 500

Carbon bike with 105 - around R17 000

Carbon bike with Ultegra - around R22 000

From here on, your imagination is the limit

 

If you have Triathlons/Iron Man in mind, consider a bike that will give you the biggest advantage and comfort over 180km.

A light weight carbon bike with areo design.

 

Feel free to PM me for a chat and I will help you find the right bike.

Well said Tankman, this dude keeps comming back with his 'very knowledgeable advice', and has absolutely no clue what is going on.

 

Good advice you gave the lady!

[Zac.A]

every groupset will take getting used to if you just start road biking, it's a completely different system to mtb.

 

As for shimano is the worst? this just showcases your lack of knowledge, shimano is the heaviest of the 3, but the most reliable and they are pushing the boundaries with DI2, campy came after them.

 

If you're just starting out shimano is the easiest as it comes on most lower specce'd bikes, there are always spares around and it is cheapish for the lower echelon of their components.

 

So my advice is to buy a very entry level road bike, with whatever comes on it, it doesn't really matter, ride that bike for a bit, (it will probably cost R4500) and then if you enjoy it, which you will, you can upgrade to a nice carbon framed bike with light wheels and some sram force.

 

But PM Tankman and he will assist further.

And don't listen to Witkop.

[Zac.A]

oh yes! something else!

 

You have a helmet from mtb, so just ask Tankman if it is acceptable on the road

But then you probably also want to get some road shoes and cleats, they offer a much bigger platform than the mtb pedals which = a better power transfer and over 180km it will take a fair amount of time off.

 

Aero helmets are also cool, if you're doing ironman's.

[Tankman]

oh yes! something else!

 

You have a helmet from mtb, so just ask Tankman if it is acceptable on the road

But then you probably also want to get some road shoes and cleats, they offer a much bigger platform than the mtb pedals which = a better power transfer and over 180km it will take a fair amount of time off.

 

Aero helmets are also cool, if you're doing ironman's.

 

:lol: Mtb helmets are not even acceptable in the mountains!

 

Good point, we dont use the exact same equipment for road and mtb.

 

Fear not, we will have you styling in no time! B)

Edited January 6, 2012 by Tankman

[Cyclewizz]

If you can borrow a bike to try great but since you've already joined a team it's almost too late.

 

The best option is to get yourself to a bike shop and get measured up.

Then you can decide if you want a second hand bike or a new bike.

You'll probably need an XS and these are difficult to find second hand (Pedal Dancer on here has one for sale, a Bianchi with Campy).

 

Get yourself triathlon shoes, don't even bother with road shoes.

[Lucky Luke.]

For a novice I would say either shimano or campy, as sram's double tap is something youll need to get used to.

 

Sram is cheaper than Shimano, lighter and works better - no brainer IMO.

 

Agree - the most important factor as a newbie is to decide on budget, if it's tight look at your 2nd hand options but get a bike that fits - try before you buy.

[Weight Weenie]

Entry level tri bikes by Giant and Fuji aren't too expensive, maybe give them a look ?

[Zac.A]

Entry level tri bikes by Giant and Fuji aren't too expensive, maybe give them a look ?

 

Nah, a carbon road bike would be more beneficial, maybe with some clip on bars.

The OP said she wanted to do road races as well and a TT bike would limit her in that respect while a road bike can be used for both.

[Cath]

Wow! Thanks for all the great advice, Champion/Ulitmate Hubbers! ...

 

I'll be in touch - but think the idea of borrowing or going cheap for the interim is a good plan ... and learning how not to chew on my camel back!

 

running off to the bike shop to get "measured up" ...

 

Thanks .... super excited and I havent even got on the bike!

Ultimate Rookie

[LOUDMAC]

Well Cath @ 148cm & 50kg's, it's gonna be hard for anyone to catch you on a rd bike.....therein lies your advantage, and not yo mention as a MTbiker you are familiar with pain and climbs! Whatever bike you get, you will be off to a good start!

Enjoy the rd, but never give up the mtn.

[2wieltjies]

Solomons have a Fuji 1.0 for R9k with full 105 groupset.

 

Does she really need more than that for first bike??